Privacy policy

Effective Date: October 4, 2025

This Privacy Policy describes how our website collects, uses, and protects your information.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining transparency.
Because our website is a research-focused resource, we keep our practices simple:
we do not collect any personal information, we do not use cookies or tracking tools, and we do not engage in marketing or advertising practices.

Information We Do Not Collect

We respect your privacy. When you use our website:

  • We do not collect any personally identifiable information (PII).
  • We do not use cookies, web beacons, analytics tools, or other tracking technologies.
  • We do not collect payment information because our services are free of charge.
  • We do not send marketing emails or newsletters.
  • We do not display advertising and do not use third-party ad networks.
  • We do not use remarketing services for marketing or advertising purposes.

How We Use Your Information

Because we do not collect personal information, there is no personal data to use, share, or disclose.
If you voluntarily contact us (for example, via email or the Contact Us page),
we will only use the information you provide to respond to your inquiry.

Data Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or rent any information to third parties.
We do not disclose any information for commercial purposes.
Any communication you voluntarily send to us will only be used for the purpose of responding to you.

Compliance With Privacy Regulations

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), we comply with the GDPR.
Because we do not collect personal data through the website, there is no processing of personal data under normal use.
If you contact us and share personal data, you have the following rights under the GDPR:

  • The right to access your personal data.
  • The right to rectification of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
  • The right to erasure (“the right to be forgotten”).
  • The right to restrict or object to processing.
  • The right to data portability.

You may exercise your rights by contacting us using the details provided below.
We will respond in accordance with GDPR requirements.

California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA)

In compliance with CalOPPA, we make the following disclosures:

  • Users can visit our site anonymously.
  • We do not collect personal information automatically.
  • We do not use cookies or tracking technologies.
  • We do not share personal information with third parties.
  • This Privacy Policy is accessible via a link on our homepage and throughout the site.
  • Our Privacy Policy link includes the word “Privacy” and can easily be found.
  • We will notify users of any Privacy Policy changes by updating this page.
  • We honor “Do Not Track” signals by default, as we do not track users.

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)

Under the CCPA and CPRA, California residents are entitled to specific rights.
Although we do not collect personal information through this website,
we respect and extend the following principles:

  • We do not sell personal information.
  • We do not share personal information for targeted advertising purposes.
  • If you voluntarily provide personal information to us (e.g., by contacting us), you may request:
    • Access to the personal information you provided.
    • Deletion of that information.
  • You may exercise your rights without discrimination.

Children’s Privacy (COPPA)

Our website is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect any information from them.

International Use

Our website is operated from the Netherlands.
If you are accessing our website from outside the European Union,
please be aware that information you voluntarily provide may be transferred and stored in the EU.
However, as stated, we do not collect data automatically.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
All updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Effective Date.”
We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to exercise your rights under applicable privacy laws, please contact us:

Prof. Robert Hofstra
Email: r.m.w.hofstra@medgen.umcg.nl
University Medical Center Groningen
Department of Genetics
Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001
9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 50 3617100

Dr. Rolf Sijmons
Email: r.h.sijmons@medgen.umcg.nl
University Medical Center Groningen
Department of Genetics
Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001
9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 50 3617100

You may also contact us via our website at /contact-us/.